Jai Rodriguez to Star in Universal Pictures’ Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Rom-Com “Bros”

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s Bros time for Jai Rodriguez.

The 42-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor, musician and former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy co-host is starring in Nicholas Stoller’s groundbreaking LGBTQ+ rom-com Bros for Universal Pictures.

Rodriguez is starring alongside previously announced cast members including Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, TS Madison, Miss Lawrence, Symone, Guillermo Diaz, Guy Branum, Monica Raymund, Jim Rash, Harvey Fierstein, Bowen Yang, Amanda Bearse, Dot-Marie Jones and more.

Bros is the first romantic comedy from a major studio about two gay men. The film written by Eichner and Macfarlane is billed as a smart, swoony and heartfelt story about gay men—played by Eichber and Macfarlane—maybe, possibly, probably, stumbling towards love. Maybe. They’re both very busy. Pic is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 30th.

Judd Apatow is producing the project alongside Stoller and Josh Church, with Eichner exec producing.

Rodriguez won an Emmy in 2004, as co-host of Outstanding Reality Program, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and will also soon be seen in the Amazon series Bosch: Legacy.

He’s also appeared on series like The Rookie, Eastsiders, Dollface, The Resident and Kingdom, among others.

His film credits include The Producers and The New Guy.

Natalie Martinez to Star Opposite Vince Vaughn in Apple TV+ Drama Series “Bad Monkey”

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Natalie Martinez is monkeying around…

The 37-year-old Cuban-American actress has been cast as a series regular opposite Vince Vaughn in the Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey.

The news comes only days after Martinez became available following the cancellation of NBC’s Ordinary Joe.

Martinez replaces Ana Villafañe, who had originally been cast in the role.

The series, written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence, based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel of the same name.

Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a onetime detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Martinez plays Rosa, a Miami medical examiner who is starting to realize she may not be cut out for her job, so is happy to ditch work and help Yancy try to figure out the story of the severed arm he brings into her lab.

In addition to Vaughn, Martinez joins Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Meredith Hagner, Rob Delaney and Arturo Luis Soria in the cast. Alex Moffat guest stars.

Lawrence executive produces through his Doozer Productions alongside Matt Tarses and Doozer’s Jeff Ingold. Marcos Siega directs the first episode and serves as executive producer. Doozer’s Liza Katzer serves as co-executive producer. Warner Bros Television is the studio.

Martinez starred as Amy Kindelán opposite James Wolk in Ordinary Joe. She previously starred in the series Kingdom, The Crossing, Under the Dome and Secrets and Lies.

Fernanda Andrade to Star in Fox Drama Pilot “neXt”

Posted on March 4, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Fernanda Andrade’s got next!

The 34-year-old Brazilian actress/model has been cast in the Fox drama pilot “neXt,” according to Variety.

She joins previously announced cast member Eve Harlow.

neXt is described as a fact-based thriller grounded in the latest A.I. research. It features a brilliant but paranoid former tech CEO who joins a Homeland Cybersecurity Agent and her team to stop the world’s first artificial intelligence crisis: the emergence of a rogue A.I. with the ability to continuously improve itself.

Andrade will play Shea, an FBIagent with the cybercrime division. Shea has overcome a troubled, sometimes violent past in her home country to become the youngest agent to run her own cyber division.

Andrade recently appeared in The First, NCIS: Los Angelesand Here and Now. She’ll also appear in Season 2 of Narcos: Mexicoon Netflix.

Her other television credits include Sons of Anarchy, Scorpionand Kingdom.

Manny Coto, who previously worked on Fox shows like 24 and 24: Legacy, will write and executive produce neXt. Twentieth Century Fox Televisionwill produce.

Kirk Acevedo Upped to Series Regular on The CW’s “Arrow”

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

There’s more Arrow in Kirk Acevedo’s future…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican, who recurred last season as the drug kingpin and crime lord Ricardo Diaz (aka as Dragon), has been promoted to series regular for Season 7, which premieres on October 15 on the CW.

A thorn in the side of Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) in season six, Diaz saw Team Arrow launch an attack on him during the season finale in May, only to escape. FBI agent Samandra Watson vows to haul him in, however.

The character has a publishing history with roots that date back more than 40 years. In 1975, DC Comics started publishing a series called Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter, which featured a martial arts master who grew up as a thief but changed his ways. The series lasted a mere 18 issues. Jump forward to 2013, and a new fighter calling himself Dragon was introduced; he eventually was revealed to be a younger man named Ricardo Diaz, a traitorous protege to the original Dragon who stole his heroic master’s name when he murdered him. The television version has hewed more to that recent mythology.

Based on the DC characters, the series is executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Beth Schwartz and Sarah Schechter.

Arrow is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros Television.

It moves to a new night this season after airing on Thursdays in 2017-18.

Acevedo’s previous television credits include 12 Monkeys, Prime Suspect and Kingdom.

Mark Consuelos Headed to the CW’s “Riverdale”

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Mark Consuelos has landed the father of a role…

The 46-year-old half-Mexican actor has joined the cast of the CW’s Riverdale as a new series regular for Season 2.

Consuelos will play Hiram Lodge, a ruthless, handsome, charismatic businessman who is coming back to Riverdale after weathering a financial scandal that almost destroyed him.

He is there to reconnect with his wife Hermione (Marisol Nichols) and, especially, his daughter Veronica (Camila Mendes), who is the apple of his eye.

Consuelos, who rose to acclaim after starring as Mateo Santos on ABC’s soap opera One Life to Live, most recently co-starred in Fox’s baseball drama series Pitch.

His other television credits include Queen of the South, Kingdom, Alpha House and American Horror Story: Asylum.

Esco to Star in CBS’ Drama Pilot “S.W.A.T.”

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Lina Esco is reporting for duty…

The Latina actress has landed a series-regular role opposite Shemar Moore and Stephanie Sigman on CBS’ drama pilot S.W.A.T.

Written by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and directed by Justin Lin and inspired by the 2003 film of the sane name, S.W.A.T. is described as an intense, action-packed procedural following a locally born-and-bred S.W.A.T. lieutenant, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore), who is torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he’s tasked to run a highly trained unit that is the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles.

Esco will play Chris. Fueled by nerves, she is a skilled officer and exceedingly calm under pressure. She isn’t pleased with her leader’s sudden departure and a shift in power but doesn’t spend too much time focused on the negatives; the mission is the only thing that matters.

Esco plays Ava on Audience Network’s Kingdom and recently recurred on Flaked.

Sanchez to Star in Brandon Camp’s “Benji” Movie Remake

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

It’s dog days ahead for Kiele Sanchez…

The 39-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress is set to star in director Brandon Camp’s retelling of his father Joe Camp’s 1974 Benji movie.

In addition to Sanchez, whose credits include the television series Kingdom and the film Purge: Anarchy, the film will also star Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Will Rothhaar, Angus Sampson and Jerod Haynes.

The film, which is already in production in New Orleans, also boasts renowned animal consultant Mark Forbes as head trainer, whose work has been seen in such movies as We Bought a Zoo, Marley & Me and Doctor Dolittle.

AT&T Audience Network Renews Sanchez’s “Kingdom” for Third Season

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

The sun hasn’t set on Kiele Sanchez’s kingdom…

AT&T Audience Network has ordered a third season of its critically acclaimed martial arts drama series Kingdom, starring the 38-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress.

“The success of season 2 of Kingdom proves how captivating this series is and how viewers have invested and connected with the characters’ lives,” said Christopher Long, senior vice president, Original Content and Production, AT&T. “Byron Balasco has been at the helm of this gritty mixed martial arts family drama since its inception and has showcased heart wrenching topics that no other show on television has had the strength to touch. We couldn’t be happier to have Byron on for another season and have no doubt that he will create a compelling storyline that no one will forget.”

The series stars Frank Grillo as a former MMA mixed martial arts fighter trying to keep his gym in business.

In addition to Sanchez and Grillo, the series also stars Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas, Joanna Going and Natalie Martinez.

Creator, writer and showrunner Balasco serves as executive producer.

Kingdom is produced by Endemol Shine Studios and distributed internationally by Endemol Shine International.

Martinez to Star in DirecTV’s MMA drama “Kingdom”

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s kingdom come for Natalie Martinez…

The 30-year-old Cuban American actress has been cast as a regular on the upcoming second season of DirecTV’s MMA drama Kingdom.

The series, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco, follows the story of Alvey Kulina (Frank Grillo) who owns and runs a mixed martial arts gym called Navy St. Gym in Venice, California, with his girlfriend, Lisa (Kiele Sanchez).

Martinez will play Alicia Mendez, described as a woman who is damaged with self-destructive tendencies. Although talented, she is fairly inexperienced fighter who takes a meeting with Lisa (Sanchez).

Nick Jonas and Matt Lauria also star.

Kingdom, from Endemol Shine Studios, just started production on Season 2 in Los Angeles.

DirecTV Orders an Additional 20 Episodes of Sanchez’s “Kingdom”

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Kiele Sanchez’s kingdom is expanding…

Only two episodes into Kingdom’s 10-episode freshman run, DirecTV has picked up the 37-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress’ MMA-themed drama series for 20 more episodes.

Kingdom, from creator/showrunner Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios, is scheduled to begin production on the new order in the spring, with the first 10 episodes airing on DirecTV’s Audience Network in fall 2015, and the following 10 slated for 2016.

Kingdom, a gritty family drama set against the backdrop of the renegade subculture of Mixed Martial Arts in Venice, CA, has launched to strong reviews. DirecTV doesn’t disclose ratings information but said that the rookie “has proven to be one of Audience Network’s most popular shows of all time.”

Returning for the next batch of 20 episodes of the series, which has been praised by local officials for filming in Los Angeles (it shoots in Venice where the show is set) are stars Sanchez, who portrays Lisa Prince, Frank Grillo, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker, Nick Jonas and Joanna Going.

“DirecTV could not be more thrilled by the response that last week’s premiere of Kingdom elicited from both critics and our viewers,” said Chris Long, DirecTV’s SVP Original Content and Production. “The series very clearly resonated with DirecTV’s subscribers.”

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